A FilmFest Fais Do-Do Jambalaya Cook-Off

As part of its annual fundraising event for the Ozark Foothills FilmFest and the T Tauri Movie Camp, Ozark Foothills FilmFest, Inc. will conduct a Jambalaya Cook-Off on Saturday, September 21. The benefit, titled "A FilmFest Fais-Do-Do," will include a screening of J'ai ete au bal (I Went to the Dance) the definitive movie on Cajun and Zydeco music by documentary film pioneer Les Blank, followed by a reception that will include judging and tasting of the entries in the Jambalaya Cook-Off. The movie will screen at 7:00 PM at Fellowship Bible Church, followed by the Jambalaya Cook-Off judging and reception at 9:00 PM at Elizabeth's Restaurant.

Chef Jason Knapp, winner of the 2012 Arkansas Diamond Chef Competition (the Arkansas version of Iron Chef), will judge the Jambalaya Cook-Off. Chef Jason, executive chef at the University of Central Arkansas and guest chef at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute's "Made from Scratch" Culinary Program, has worked in a variety of kitchens around Arkansas, including the Sonny Williams Steak Room and the Arkansas Governor's Mansion where he served as executive chef to Governor Mike Beebe.

The competition is limited to the first twelve entrants to register. Eligible entrants include individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Entrants will be asked to deliver their entries in a crockpot containing a minimum of three quarts of jambalaya to Elizabeth's Restaurant on the day of the competition. Entries will be sampled first by the competition judge, followed by a public tasting by event attendees. There is no entry fee and registered entrants may attend "A FilmFest Fais-Do-Do," which includes the film screening and post-screening reception, at no charge. A $100 cash prize will be awarded to the winning entry.

Those wishing to enter the competition should complete an entry form and either email it to ozarkfilm@wildblue.net or mail it to Ozark Foothills FilmFest, 195 Peel Road, Locust Grove, AR 7250.